India, July 19 -- Growing friction highlights infrastructure strain, environmental pressures and changing tourist-resident relations across Uttarakhand.

On a recent weekend in Mussoorie, what began as a routine argument over a parked car quickly spiralled into a shouting match. Tourists surrounded a local shopkeeper, residents gathered in support of their neighbour, mobile phones came out, and within minutes the confrontation was circulating across social media. Similar scenes have played out this summer in Nainital, Rishikesh and other popular destinations, fuelling a narrative that has increasingly come to define Uttarakhand's peak tourist season: visitors versus locals.

For a state whose economy depends heavily on tourism, the growin...